Boydton woman dies in car crash

Virginia Norene Proffitt

SoVaNow.com / July 27, 2011

A 78-year old Boydton woman died Friday afternoon at Duke University Hospital as a result of injuries sustained in a 2-car crash at the intersection of U.S. 58 and Route 92 on the outskirts of the county seat.

Virginia State Police Trooper T.A. Clary said the victim, Virginia Norene Proffitt, was a passenger in a 1989 Cadillac driven by her husband, John P. Proffitt Sr., 85.

Clary said the Proffitts were returning home from Chase City shortly after 1 p.m., driving south on Route 92 when the accident occurred.

He said Proffitt crossed westbound traffic on U.S. 58 and then pulled into the median. He then drove out into the eastbound lane. The car was struck broadside by a 2005 Dodge Magnum driven by Dona L. Higgins of Galax.

“There was no braking time,” the trooper said.

He said Higgins told him she saw the Proffitts’ car in the median and expected it to stop.

According to Clary, Higgins was not exceeding the speed limit.

No charges were filed.

Clary, who has served as a state trooper in Southern Virginia for about 15 years, said the intersection of U.S. 58 and Route 92 is especially dangerous because visibility is limited.

“I actually went out and observed the site when I started working here because there were so many accidents and I wanted to know what was going on there,” he said.

He said that although the intersection now has caution lights, problems remain.

Higgins, 60, as well as a passenger in her vehicle and John Proffitt were transported to Community Memorial HealthCenter in South Hill, where they were treated for non-life-threatening injuries, Clary said.

Virginia Norene Proffitt was transported by helicopter to Duke, where she died several hours later.

Four sons, three sisters, 15 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren survive. She was predeceased by a daughter and brother.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. tomorrow at Bliley’s-Staples Mill, 8510 Staples Mill Road. Interment will follow at the Signal Hill Memorial Park in Hanover.

The Proffitts had been married 60 years, according to the Richmond Times Dispatch. She was a hairdresser in Hanover County for many years.